Mayor A.J. Holloway addresses a gathering of community leaders and |
Holloway and a black-hatted Fred Fayard, one of the contactors |
Mayor A.J. Holloway, noting the historic significance of the accomplishment, joined other community leaders and local contractors to cut a ribbon this morning to formally open five new lanes of traffic on Popp’s Ferry Road.
“You are seeing history in the making here today,” Holloway told the audience of about 50, including county and city leaders, school administrators and economic development officials. “This is a major step toward our goal of improving the flow of traffic here in Biloxi. We’ve widened a major entrance into our city, a roadway that carries about 16,000 vehicles on an average day. And thanks to our construction management program, we were able to do this work not ON schedule, but AHEAD of schedule – almost five months ahead of schedule – and on budget.”
William G. Yates Jr. of W.G. Yates and Son Construction Co. recognized what he called “the best construction team in the world,” a half-dozen representatives of engineering, landscaping and paving companies who helped construct the $3.8 million section between Jam Lane and Cedar Lake Road.
Holloway also applauded the construction management concept, which he advocated for major road construction projects to improve accountability and control of projects.
The former two-lane section of Popp’s Ferry Road, home to Biloxi Commerce Park, two public schools and several churches, had been limited to one-way traffic for the past several months, but all lanes were open shortly after the 10:30 a.m. ribbon cutting.
Holloway announced that he city would begin construction in May on the next section of Popp’s Ferry Road. Initial work will be to construct a temporary lane from near the causeway to Jam Lane before permanently widening the road between the causeway and Jam Lane.
The city hopes to keep momentum up on the widening work. Said Holloway: “The bottom line is this: We expect to do 24 months of road work in about 18 months. We think we can do it. That means we’ll all be here again in November of next year. We’ll have a brand-new, safe and efficient Popp’s Ferry Road. We’ll have good reason to be proud – just like we are today.”
